Vintage American Pneumatic AirGuns 😎

The multi-pump pneumatic airgun was perfected in the USA during the last half of the 20th Century.

There were three companies that were key to the development of this potent and reliable powerplant for air weapons.

Benjamin Air Rifle Company, Crosman Arms & Sheridan Products were the leaders in pneumatic AirGuns beginning in the 1920's with Crosman.

Pictured below is a Benjamin model 317, a .177 caliber pellet rifle that I know was made between 1940-56 because Benjamin only began using serial numbers in 1957, and they introduced this air rifle with the pump lever under the barrel in 1940.

The model 317 has a brass rifled barrel and walnut stock and pump handle.

The second photo is of a .22 caliber Crosman model 1400 Pumpmaster pellet rifle, which according to its serial number, was made in June 1976, making it the third and final variant of a long line of pneumatic air Rifles that began with the model 120 back in the 1950's, and then the model 140 and 147, with the final model being the 1400 'PumpMaster'.
It has a rifled steel barrel and maple stock and pump handle.
This is the only pneumatic AirGun that I have heard of, were it is not advisable to store the air rifle with 1-3 pumps of air, in this case because it has an automatic cocking action when it is charged with the pump.
This Pneumatic air rifle is considered by collectors and enthusiasts to represent the "high water mark" in pneumatic AirGun development.

The third photo displays a Sheridan CB Blue Streak .20cal/5mm pellet rifle.
It was made in December 1972, which was the first year since 1947 that Sheridan began using serial numbers.
It has a bronze rifled barrel and American Walnut stock and pump handle.
This Sheridan CB Blue Streak is in excellent condition inside and out, and shoots as straight & hard as the day it was made.
It has the factory installed Sheridan--Williams rear peep sight, which would officially make it a model CBW according to the Sheridan Catalogs from that time.
High quality AirGuns tend to inspire a sense of pride in ownership, and this Sheridan CB Blue Streak from December 1972 most certainly inspired someone to take good care of it for almost 50 years!